By RICK KARLIN and JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST Staff writers

Published 1:00 am, Tuesday, May 25, 2010

ALBANY -- Michael Carey, who with his wife Lisa is credited with pushing though a law that increases oversight of facilities that care for the disabled, is running for state Senate in the 46th District.

"I've worked extremely hard alongside numerous state legislators," Carey said of his efforts to pass Jonathan's Law, which had bipartisan support.

While seeking to run against a popular Democratic incumbent, Sen. Neil Breslin, Carey said he didn't plan a negative campaign or expect to employ the harsh throw-the-bums-out theme that many challengers are expected to adopt this year.

"The walls of hostility must come down. ... I don't look at different sides as the enemy," said Carey, a registered Republican who is seeking the GOP as well as Conservative and Independence party lines.

County Republicans have been vowing to field a candidate against Breslin, who already faces two Democratic challengers, Luke Martland and Tim Carney. But it's not clear at this point whether Carey is that candidate.

Albany County Republican Chairman John A. Graziano said Carey, who made his announcement unaccompanied, is among a handful or so of people who have asked the party for its support.

"We have other candidates who have expressed interest, and we should have a final decision within the week," Graziano said. "We're going to give him full consideration."

Graziano declined to identify any of the others other than Joseph Vitolo, a registered nurse from Coeymans who he said has been active in the community.

Vitolo, also a Republican, said he's not interested in a primary but will await the decision of the town chairs and county committee before making his own decision.